History of the State of California: From the Period of the Conquest by Spain to Her Occupation by the United States of AmericaFrost, John
History
History of the State of California: From the Period of the Conquest by Spain to Her Occupation by the United States of America
Frost, John
California -- Gold discoveries; California -- History
"At last accounts there were two or three hundred Americans at Sonora,
under arms, and others were hourly arriving. On Monday the excitement
had somewhat abated. Hundreds of the Mexicans and Chileans were
packing up and leaving for Stockton. Many of them disclaimed having
had any intention of resorting to arms, and all were evidently more or
less frightened at the aspect of affairs. It appears that the Mexicans
who took part in the disturbance, were led on by some hot-headed
Frenchman, lately arrived from France, of the Red Republican order.
They found, however, that the majority of the Spaniards were not
disposed to join them, and it is supposed that the whole affair will
blow over without any very serious consequences. The affair will
probably be a severe blow to business, for the present, in Sonora."
The _Stockton Times_ has a letter from Sonora, giving the details of
this difficulty. The foreigners said they were willing to pay four or
five dollars per month, but that the amount demanded was utterly
beyond their power to pay. They made this statement at an interview
with the Governor. The letter goes on as follows:
"During the discussion, an American who wished to get out of the
crowd, began elbowing his way from the place where he stood, when a
Mexican or Chilian, in front of him, drew a pistol. In a moment a
dozen revolvers were out, and a precipitate retreat was made by the
foreigners. No shot was fired, but the Mexicans were alarmed, and the
town was cleared in five minutes. Our peace now seemed threatened by
about five thousand men outside, and no inconsiderable alarm was
created in town. The citizens armed themselves, and expresses were
sent to Mormon Creek and Sullivan's Diggings, from which places about
five hundred well armed Americans arrived, and marched through the
streets with guns and rifles on their shoulders. The demonstration was
sufficient; the crowds in the vicinity soon dispersed, and quiet was
restored. The only thing to be feared, is the misguided zeal of our
own citizens, who although generally sympathizing with the discontent
occasioned by the unjust tax, are incensed that the foreigners should
presume to take the law into their own hands, and may not be willing
to allow the affair to rest where it is.
A serious affray took place this afternoon, in which a Mexican was
seriously wounded. A man was noticed parading the streets with two or
three pistols and a knife in his belt; the man was intoxicated, and
the sheriff arrested him, or rather took his arms from him. While in
the act, a Mexican came up behind and made a stab at the officer with
a large knife. The murderous intent was frustrated by a bystander,
who, with a bowie knife, struck the man, wounding him severely. Mr.
Work, the sheriff, was happily untouched.
This state of affairs, if allowed to last, will ruin the prosperity of
the whole southern mines, and your own town of Stockton will be the
first to suffer thereby.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account